At first, you wonder what this film is all about. It's always going back and forth with rude jerks. Sometimes Mumbai, sometimes Goa, then Thailand [I believe] and some other places which the director does not feel important to reveal to the viewers.
It's confusing as you try to keep pace with the narration. But given its artistic canvas and mood lighting aided by superb background music, ISHK ACTUALLY moves like a classical piece. Soft, slow, loud, fast, crescendo, diminuendo, and staccato: It rolls all these nuances of a musical piece in its narration with the help of violin, piano and the guitar.
The actors, all of them, are given a subdued role. No over-the-top histrionics even in high-pitched scenes. Just slow delivering of emotions and feelings in soft words and quiet body language.
Honestly, at first I was irked by the narrative, but as the film grows on you, you realize that this is an experiment that has worked well. Creatively, director Anish Khanna can take credit for venturing into something astonishing. The end result may not be as satisfying. At every turn, you are forced to immerse yourself into the narrative trying to figure out where the main characters are and what they are actually talking about. Engaging.
But how many people are ready for something as engaging as this? I guess not many. I was the only one in the multiplex watching this flick. Actually!.
Rajeev Khandelwal is a fine actor. He proves his class once again in this act as Neil, where a woman Gia (Neha Ahuja) he has had a one night stand with, returns into his life on her engagement day. Her beau Kabir (Rayoo Bakhirta) is unaware of the storm raging within his to-be-wife. Ann (Ann Mitchai), Kabir's childhood friend who has a secret crush on him, and who is now in love with Neil completes the 'love quadrangle'.
As far as expressions go, Neha Ahuja would win hands down. She has just one expression throughout the film, always answers the phone in the same soft voice and is always soft-pitched even in high-pitched scenes. It is as though nothing affects her. I guess even if she was caught in a Tsunami, it would have retreated looking at the calm composure of Neha.
Rayo is good for his part and so is Ann.
In the end the movie actually leaves you with a feel-good feeling simply because you have to figure out everything yourself. It's a normal love story with different layers.
Actually, another Neha (Sharma) would have lifted the scenes several notches higher (simply by her understanding of the character) and given Rajeev Khandelwal a run for his money! The mood scenes would have been quite a joy to watch.
If you like to be involved in the narrative, then ISHK ACTUALLY is worth a watch.